I have been playing for nearly 3 months, got myself L9 acc and it was only because in my town there's only 12 portals, after I conquer them, there's literally nothing else to do except link them together for some experience to next level and some badges. And Blues only come to take it down one a day or once in 3 days. I got one portal in a range from my house too, got my inventory full and have to recycle materials like L7 and L6 resonators and L5 xmp bursters. MUFG and soft banks are obtainable from hacking. Nothing to do in this town really, and the closest town with some more action is 45 ish km from here and I'm using public transport, and that town is mostly green, when its blue there's things to destroy and it eases me sometimes. Well, I believe in big towns like LA and NY is very difficult to maintain a portal for 5 min, but I currently live in Finland and I've got one portal standing for 60 days. And in place like this all you have to worry is to spend 1h on these 12 portals, conquer and link them, and the rest of the day is yours to do whatever you please. It really depends in a place you live. I come from Portugal and in my town there its like 50 portals maximum, once you conquer it, even with L1 resonators, no one will come for up to one week. Some places may be very frustrating and annoying. Countryside is good, small town is better.